HARTFORD – Hartford HealthCare has announced two transformational philanthropic investments to support the Hartford HealthCare Neuroscience Institute, advancing Hartford HealthCare’s place as a leader in the neurosciences. The multi-million dollar gifts will be used to further Hartford HealthCare’s vision and create world-class centers of excellence to better serve our patients and enhance access to top-quality care from the first diagnosis through treatment to caregiver support.

The Louise and Ramani Ayer gift will support the overall vision for the emerging neuroscience institute, which will be renamed the Ayer Neuroscience Institute. The Ayer Neuroscience Institute will bring together the best clinical care, a heightened focus on translational research and leading edge technology to offer world-class, comprehensive, patient-centered care for all neurological conditions.

The Chase family gift will support the advancement of the Movement Disorders Center, which will be named the David and Rhoda Chase Family Movement Disorders Center, and include the establishment of a Neurology Fellowship in Movement Disorders. The David and Rhoda Chase Family Movement Disorders Center fills a need in our region by developing a more comprehensive, patient-centered program.

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“We are incredibly thankful. These are transformational gifts that allow us to build on our tremendous history of innovation and bring the best clinical care to the region,” said Jeffrey Flaks, Hartford HealthCare’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are true leaders in the emerging world of neuroscience, ensuring all patients have improved access to the highest quality care.”

“We couldn't be more excited. We see a great opportunity to build a world-class, Neuroscience Institute right here, bringing top-notch, compassionate care to our communities,” said Ramani Ayer. “My wife and I could not be more proud to be a part of it. Our gift ensures this will be a true destination for patients with a variety of neurological issues.”

“Through our father’s illness, we experienced first-hand the extreme need for people in Connecticut who have Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological afflictions, to have ready access to comprehensive, specialized care, without having to travel out of state,” said Arnold Chase.

“We strongly felt that Hartford HealthCare and the specialists building its Movement Disorders Center would be best able to fill this gap in services for so many in our region,” said Cheryl Chase. “Our hope is for this gift to have a profound impact in this area of need.”

“Through its centers of excellence and high-quality programs, the Ayer Neuroscience Institute will advance compassionate, patient-centered neurologic care,” said Dr. Mark Alberts, Physician-in-Chief, Ayer Neuroscience Institute. “We are charging ahead with life-changing research and comprehensive education. Our physicians will create national models for the future for so many different neurological issues.”

“We could not be more grateful to the Ayer family and to the Chase family,” said Elliot Joseph, CEO of Hartford HealthCare. “These gifts will take research to a new level and increase our understanding of the brain. We will translate that knowledge into new treatments, improving the overall health of the people we serve.”

About Hartford HealthCare Hartford HealthCare is Connecticut’s most comprehensive healthcare network. Our fully integrated health system includes a tertiary-care teaching hospital; an acute-care community teaching hospital; an acute-care hospital and trauma center; LIFE STAR helicopters; two community hospitals; the state’s most extensive behavioral health network; a large multispecialty physician group; a regional home care system; an array of senior care services; a large physical therapy and rehabilitation network and an accountable care organization. Visit Hartford HealthCare at www.hartfordhealthcare.org About the Ayer Neuroscience Institute The field of Neuroscience — the study of the nervous system and its structure — is growing. Not only is neuroscience concerned with the normal functioning of the nervous system, but also what happens to the nervous system when people have neurological, psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Throughout Hartford HealthCare, the Neuroscience Institute includes several programs including Epilepsy, Stroke, Movement Disorders, Hearing and Balance, Neurology, Neuro-Oncology, Headache, Sleep Disorders, Spine, Neurosurgery, Pain Management and Neuromuscular Disorders. Learn more at: hartfordhealthcare.org/services/neurosciences.

About the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center. The Movement Disorders Center combines the diagnostic and therapeutic skills of prominent specialists with ongoing clinical research. The Movement Disorders Center gives patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders a path to improved quality of life with treatment options that range from medication to neurosurgery. The Neuroscience Institute’s Movement Disorders Center is committed to enabling people with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders to do the things they love and extend their freedom of movement as long as possible. Learn more at: https://hartfordhealthcare.org/services/movement-disorders-center.